Consumer confidence is key for Kalamazoo to benefit from MPI Research spinoff effect

KALAMAZOO, MI -- The 3,300 new jobs MPI Research is bringing to Southwest Michigan will come in slowly over the next five to seven years.

But that doesn't mean Kalamazoo can't begin cashing in today, said several business people during an informal gathering Friday morning of about 75 real estate professionals, educators and community leaders at the Kalamazoo County Club.

"You have to go to your clients and say, 'It is a good time. It is a good time to buy and sell homes. It is a good time to make investments'," said Ron Kitchens, chief executive officer of Southwest Michigan First.

Portage-based home developer Allen Edwin Homes originally called the meeting to have Kitchens discuss the potential impact of MPI's recent jobs announcement with
Allen Edwin staff members, but the meeting was expanded to include others.

"I encourage you to break that psychological logjam that people find themselves in," Kitchens said.

With more than 7,000 new residents expected to enter the community as MPI creates jobs in coming years, the need for new housing options is critical.

"A good job is the facilitation to the American Dream," Kitchens said. "And the dream is still the home."

While there is excess supply in the housing market these days, homeowners should feel confident that now is a good time to trade up, said Greg DeHaan, senior vice president of Allen Edwin Homes.

"The net sum to trade is better now than it will be in two years," he said. "That's the message we have to bring."

And Dan Jaqua, president of Jaqua Realtors, said demand for new homes will benefit sales of existing homes.